The Feel Flight Grip

Why not an aircraft attitude indicating system that utilizes the sense of touch …the most sensitive of the five senses? In existing aircraft,  subtle feedback of aircraft attitude  can sometimes be felt by the pilot through the conventional control yoke or stick. The flow and pressure of air may provide a slightly different feel to the elevator and ailerons.   And some aircraft shudder when close to stall. Angle of attack is the most important aircraft attitude of which a pilot should be conscious. Oddly, this is generally conveyed by the airspeed indicator. An angle of attack indicator is considered superior but is still a visual reference.

Our approach is to incorporate five solenoid activators into the stick or yoke grip. When the airplane is in normal flying attitude, the grip feels normal to the fingers. When the pilot reaches “best rate of climb,” the bottom activator signals the ring finger. When the wing reaches “best angle of climb,” the second actuator protrudes to pulse against the middle finger.  A few degrees below stall and the top actuator pulses against your most sensitive finger, the index finger. 

There are two additional actuators, one on each side of the grip. The right one touches the lower part of the index finger and the left touches the thumb. These actuators duplicate the ball inclinometer for indicating coordinated turns. When the right actuator pulses on your finger, then you step on the right rudder pedal; left actuator—left pedal.

With the FeelFight system, with your right hand on the control stick, you have a very positive feedback of the aircraft’s attitude when your visual attention is focused on the landing spot, or your ears are plugged from atmospheric pressure changes. Basically you have a tremendous enhancement of the “seat of the pants” concept. Even a novice pilot will know exactly what his airplane and wings are doing. The hand that is controlling the airplane is also receiving a positive feedback that informs the pilot what his hand is doing to the airplane.

The most remarkable aspect of the FeelFlight Grip is that the pilot always maintains control of his or her own aircraft. The Grip will not counteract the actions of the pilot or take over control of the airplane. Rather, the grip will validate the information offered by the panel. Or, it will allow the pilot to feel the aircraft without needing to see or understand what the panel instruments are telling him. It provides the multimodal (three senses) system which scientific research has shown is the most effective in signaling information.

• You experience the sensation of flying “by the seat of your pants.” You are one with your wings.

• Your grip validates your instruments, thereby increasing your ability to react appropriately in a emergency.